Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
5% cheaper
Boulder is 5% more affordable than Long Beach. A $75,000 salary in Long Beach is equivalent to $71,613 in Boulder.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Colorado salaries · California salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Boulder has a housing index of 230 while Long Beach sits at 236 (national average = 100). The median home in Boulder costs $750,000 compared to $700,000 in Long Beach, a difference of $50,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,300 in Boulder versus $2,200 in Long Beach.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Boulder scores 107 while Long Beach scores 106.
Healthcare costs in Boulder (104) are higher than Long Beach (103). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Boulder is $73,123 compared to $60,567 in Long Beach. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Boulder.
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